Description
Delightful ranch trail mix combines zesty seasoning with crunchy nuts and savory pretzels for an irresistible snacking experience. Munching on this blend delivers a perfect balance of flavor and texture that keeps fingers reaching back to the bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Snack Mix Base:
- 3 cups pretzels (twists or sticks)
- 2 cups cheese crackers (like Cheez-Its)
- 1 cup roasted peanuts or cashews
- 1 cup rice cereal squares (like Rice Chex)
- 1 cup bagel chips or pita chips, broken into smaller pieces
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade)
Spices and Herbs:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill (optional)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by heating the oven to a moderate temperature of 300F (150C) and line a spacious baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Gather all dry components – pretzels, cheese crackers, mixed nuts, rice cereal squares, and bagel chips – into a generously sized mixing vessel, ensuring an even distribution through gentle tossing.
- Create the flavor profile by whisking together melted butter with ranch seasoning mix, incorporating garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, and smoked paprika in a compact mixing bowl.
- Drizzle the seasoned butter mixture over the dry snack ingredients, using a careful folding technique to guarantee comprehensive coating of each morsel.
- Distribute the seasoned mixture across the prepared baking sheet in a uniform layer, maintaining consistent thickness to promote even roasting.
- Position the baking sheet in the preheated oven, allowing the mixture to transform for approximately 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan midway to ensure balanced golden crispiness.
- Remove from the oven and permit the trail mix to cool completely at room temperature, which will help solidify the seasoning and enhance the overall crunch.
- Once thoroughly cooled, transfer the ranch-infused snack mix to an airtight container for preservation or serve immediately for maximum flavor and texture enjoyment.
Notes
- Customize the mix by swapping out ingredients based on dietary preferences or what you have in your pantry.
- Use gluten-free pretzels and crackers to make this snack mix celiac-friendly and accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Toast nuts separately before adding to enhance their natural flavors and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Reduce butter content by using cooking spray for a lighter version of the snack mix, which cuts down on calories without sacrificing flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10
- Calories: 232
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg